It is my pleasure to welcome our new and returning students.
With more than 3,000 undergrad and 400 grad students, we are the largest computer science school in Canada. We are also home to the nation’s largest concentration of computer science faculty. Yet, despite our size, we remain a collegial, supportive and closely connected community of researchers, scholars and learners.
As we approach our sixth decade, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come since computer science was first established at Waterloo. Since our founding in 1967, we have grown alongside the discipline, helping shape the field in Canada and around the world.
The Cheriton School of Computer Science is home to an exceptional community of distinguished researchers, including 14 Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada, 10 Fellows of the Association for Computing Machinery, 8 Fellows of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and 9 Canada CIFAR AI Chairs. Thirteen faculty members have received lifetime achievement awards from CS-Can | Info-Can. And we are proud to have a Canada Excellence Research Chair, 4 Canada Research Chairs, and 2 industrial research chairs among our faculty.
Our students are equally exceptional, earning national and international recognition for their research and scholarship. Their accomplishments include best paper awards at leading conferences, prestigious scholarships and fellowships, and honours from prominent computer science organizations.
Our School attracts the brightest minds, creating a virtuous cycle of success. Co-op education, which combines academics with practical experience, is an important part of that success. Through work-integrated learning, students address real-world challenges as they work with organizations ranging from ambitious start-ups to global technology leaders.
Entrepreneurship is also deeply embedded in our culture. This September, Waterloo received international recognition for its leadership in entrepreneurship, innovation and venture creation. The 2026 PitchBook University Rankings named Waterloo the top Canadian university and seventh globally for producing successful entrepreneurs. Ideas developed at the university and within the Cheriton School of Computer Science extend far beyond our classrooms and labs. They become the new technologies, leading companies and innovative solutions that shape industry and transform society.
The School is committed to building an inclusive community where everyone feels welcomed, supported and able to thrive. Our Women in Computer Science committee supports the development of the next generation of women computer scientists and leaders, while our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee works to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.
Our students and alumni have gone on to change the world. As you begin or continue your journey at Waterloo, you are part of that legacy and part of the future we are building together.
Take full advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead. Approach your classes, labs and tutorials with curiosity and determination. Make the most of experiences beyond the classroom. Collaborate with others, connect with industry, pursue research, build something of your own, and learn from people whose experiences are different from your own.
These opportunities will shape your career and the person you become.
I look forward to seeing what you will achieve in the year ahead and beyond.
Raouf Boutaba, University Professor and Director
Cheriton School of Computer Science